Heart of Vermont Vet: At-Home End-of-Life Care for Pets

About Heart of Vermont Vet: At-Home End-of-Life Care for Pets

Heart of Vermont Vet is a veterinary housecall practice based in Barre, Vermont, dedicated entirely to compassionate end-of-life care for dogs and cats. Dr. Erika Bruner began her career as a primary-care veterinarian in Central Vermont in 2002, launched her housecall practice in 2013, and in 2017 made the deliberate decision to focus her work exclusively on end-of-life care — the area of veterinary medicine she found most meaningful and most in need of a thoughtful, home-based approach. Since then, Dr. Bruner has helped hundreds of Vermont families navigate this difficult chapter of their pet's life with gentleness, honesty, and unwavering care.

The practice serves families throughout Central Vermont in person, and also offers telephone consultations for families located anywhere — making Dr. Bruner's guidance accessible regardless of geography. For families unsure whether the time for euthanasia has arrived, Dr. Bruner provides in-home quality-of-life assessments that look at the pet's comfort, mobility, appetite, and overall wellbeing. She approaches every family conversation without pressure, helping each family understand their options and arrive at a decision that feels right for both them and their pet. Cremation coordination is available following an in-home euthanasia appointment.

Services Offered

Heart of Vermont Vet provides the following services to families in the Barre, Vermont area:

• In-Home End-of-Life Consultations
• Quality-of-Life Assessments
• Palliative and Hospice Care
• In-Home Pet Euthanasia
• Cremation Coordination
• Telephone Consultations (available anywhere)

What to Expect

Families typically begin by calling or emailing Heart of Vermont Vet to discuss their pet's current condition. Dr. Bruner will schedule either an in-home visit or a telephone consultation depending on your needs and location. During a home visit, she will gently examine your pet, discuss what to expect as their health continues to change, review palliative and euthanasia options, and answer any questions your family may have — all without pressure or rushing. If the decision to proceed with euthanasia is made, Dr. Bruner can carry out the process at the same visit or a scheduled follow-up appointment, with your pet resting peacefully at home surrounded by the people and familiar spaces they know best. To schedule an appointment or learn more, call (802) 323-5200.